When you're trying to get a "job done right" the proper tools, or in the case of meal prepping, the proper tupperware is required.

When I first started meal prepping, I was only a Junior in college. My Celiac Disease and Severe IBS meant that I needed to be the sole provider of food for myself. In my early phases, I was only prepping for a day or two at a time, and felt that I was constantly cooking, despite my preparing. And on top of that, I felt that my fridge was a war zone of tupperware containers that were taking up far too much space and not allowing me to conveniently take my meals and go.

Meal Preppies is an online store that sells Meal Prep Containers that are the PERFECT tools to "get the job done right" of prepping your meals ahead of time. These portioned out, portable and BPA Free containers were created with Meal Preppies' motto in mind: if you Prep Well, then you will Eat Well!

When Sharice contacted me about hosting a giveaway, I was beyond ecstatic, and am happy to share that ONE lucky reader will be the winner of a 10 piece Meal Prep Container Set with a Plastic Resuable Smoothie Cup! ENTER THE GIVEAWAY BELOW SO YOU CAN JOIN THE MEAL PREP MOVEMENT!
And if you need some convincing, here's a few reasons why Meal Preppies are awesome:

Saves you money - why eat out when you already have food made!

Portion Control - allows you to make sure you're getting all your greens in!

Convenience - meals can easily be taken "to go" in these portable containers

Saves you time - never wonder what to eat again, simply use what you've already prepped!

Make healthier choices - if you have healthy food made, you will eat healthy food, simply put

SO what makes Meal Preppies so awesome, the quality of their product!10 PC Meal Prep Container Set WITH a Plastic Reusable Smoothie Cup

Can it truly be, that the blog turns two today? Well, not to the date, I'm a few days late to the party because life happen BUT I cannot believe that another year has flown by since I wrote my﻿One Year Blogiversary post. Here I gave a bit more insight on the girl behind the blog as well as my mindset transformation. One year later, I sit here and type, and feel as if that I have grown so MUCH more in the last year, and that although I may love all things princess and pink, I am not a girl, but rather becoming an adult woman, as cliche as it may sound.

I wrote that last year in July was the happiest and healthiest I had ever been. I thought that was true, and it was for the moment but as I sit here in a different area code than I was last year, with a belly full of good food and more than a week off from the gym, I think THIS is the happiest and healthiest I have ever been.

My journey to bettering myself and making my place in the world has only continued since my post last year. Then again, as I have discussed in other posts, self-work and self-love is continuous and on going, it is a journey that I will forever be on. I will forever be working on making myself happier, healthier, more positive, and better in any way possible. I am a life long learner and apply my goal to be a better version of myself in all areas of my life: a better blogger, celiac, daughter, friend, girlfriend, IBS advocate, meal prepper, positive vibe promoter, self-love spreader, and teacher. The saying goes:"You only get one life, but if you do it right, once is enough" -- Mae West

For years, I felt like a prisoner to myIBS, anxious and unhappy, merely surviving my symptoms, but through an IBSOS Clinical Trial, I realized that it was not up to just my doctor and medication to make me better, but myself as well. I had ignoring the most powerful healing tool of all, my mindset and attitude. The Clinical Trial ignited a spark in me, I realized the true potential of the power of positivity and a thankful heart. As a Type A personality, I tend to be uptight and more anxious than most, but by harboring an attitude of gratitude, things have only gone up for my mindset in all areas of my life since my realization!

In its early days, the blog and instagram was therapeutic for me, and healing source of support. I relied heavily on all of YOU during my first year, and still quite a bit in the beginning of my second year of blogging. I felt the need and desire to do something in return, I wanted to give back to the online community. I started using my blog as a platform for IBS Awareness. I felt that sharing my stories, my tips, and my struggles would enable others to feelcomfortable with their condition.Since my series of posts, I have become a Digestive Health Alliance Ambassador, a title I proudly wear!

My little soap box for IBS Awareness grew, it led me to accomplish a dream of mine since I was little:
Get published in a printed publication.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd get published for talking about poop, but then again, my second blog proud moment came as quite a surprise as well this year!

Top Two Proud Blogger Moments this Year 1. Getting my IBS Story published in the Digestive Health Matters Nationwide Publication Read ithere - simply scroll down and click "Download PDF" - My story is on the last page!
2. Becoming an AboutTime Athlete Ambassador
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that ME, Amber, would be considered an athlete
I shared my disbelief and pride here in my ambassador acceptance post

This past year has been a whirlwind of exciting things going on for me, not only for the blog, but also in my person life, which is why at times the blog has taken a back burner. I feel so proud of the progress I have made in all areas, and I couldn't have done it without all of you. While I may not "need" the blog as a source of support as much as I used to, I am still forever grateful for the connections and inspiration I have been so blessed to have been exposed to since making my website.Thank you all for always being a source of support and inspiration and following me on my journey

Last year I wrote "I only see myself continuing moving forward in this uplifting direction" and I feel as if I have done just that, "People are just as happy as they make their minds up to be"

Summertime and the livin’s easy.Unless you have Celiac Disease, then that statement might be rephrased to: Summertime and I’m stressin’ over what people feed me.(Must be sung to the tune of Sublime’s Doin’ Time)The longer I have Celiac Disease, the more I learn. Sometimes, my learning is from my own misfortunes or the misconceptions myself, and those who prepare food for me, have been led to believe.Gluten is quite sneaky, and the two summers after my diagnosis, he had been hanging out on the grill, and joining me at BBQs, without my knowledge of course. Talk about a party crasher! Looking back, my lack of education might explain why I was so sick two summers in a row, I was constantly cross-contaminating myself!SO, I’ve brought back a post I did for Bakery on Main to share FIVE FACTS/TIPS to make your summertime experience a safe and stress free one, so you can focus more on getting a tan, than getting glutened!As always, when you are dining out at another house, remember to talk to your host, most people are unaware and are willing to accommodate, if you educate them on how to!

FIRST AND FOREMOST - Biggest misconception myself and others had:The high heat of the grill does NOT kill gluten. This is something I didn’t know, until I read an article by the NFCA. Therefore, if non-gluten free items have been cooked on the grill such as marinades, sauces, or buns, the grill is now contaminated. (This is the case with most people's grills) In order to remove the gluten, the grill must be meticulously cleaned! Unless I have done the scrubbing myself, I do not allow my food to be cooked right ON the grill, even at my parent's house which brings me to the next tidbit.

Aluminum Foil ALWAYS. Think of aluminum foil as a protective barrier between your food and the potential of any gluten that could be lurking on the grill. The aluminum will still allow your food to be cooked, but it will keep it safe. Not grilling at home? Bring your own tinfoil, and ask politely for your food to be cooked on the top rack or in a separate corner of the grill to avoid cross-contamination.

Separate Utensils. Cooking in a gluten free and gluten filled home? Then you better have two of every grill utensil! Label or have a different color to indicate gluten free utensils, so whoever is cooking won’t become confused and accidently do the old “whoops I used the gluten filled spatula on your gluten free food” move. Again, if you’re not at home, and unsure of utensil availability, bring your own! Also, if you do have a gluten free/gluten filled house hold, stay away from plastic utensils. Gluten particles cling to plastic more easily!

Channel your inner hawk with whoever is on the grill, discretely of course. That’s right, I am suggesting you stand by or watch whoever is cooking your food. We’re all human and we make mistakes, especially if the person cooking your food isn’t used to having to be so cautious. Keep a watchful eye of their utensil usage, and ensure that they aren’t cross contaminating. Feel weird just watching? Go over and strike up a conversation! Offer to help, compliment the house, the yard, talk about whatever until your food has been cooked through and has been handed to you on a plate. It may feel awkward at first, making small talk, or feeling as if you’re watching over the other person, BUT this ensures your health and safety, and the host probably won’t even notice, they just will attest it to your friendly personality!

Serve Yourself First. It sounds rude, right? Saying that YOU get served first or should be the first in line for food BUT when it comes to side dishes and platters such as salads, fruits, and even condiments, things tend to get sloppy the more people that have gone and served themselves. Trust me, I know this from a “getting glutened” experience where I ate a salad, that somehow croutons had found their way into….SO, it may seem a bit brazen, especially if it’s not your house or someone you feel comfortable with, but think of it as a safety issue. If you’re concerned about contamination occurring in the kitchen before you even serve yourself, bring your own sides!

When in doubt, go with out and B.Y.O.F. If you still feel unsure, or are not comfortable with approaching your host, or would rather not risk the chance of being cross contaminated, BRING YOUR OWN FOOD! No shame in wanting to be safe than sorry! For anyone who follows my blog, you know I am a big advocate of this. I often show up to parties with my Isobag or Lunch Box in tow. Since I don’t want to feel left out and want the normal BBQ experience like everyone else, prior to the event/party/BBQ, I ask the host what is being served, so I can replicate my own version. That way, I can enjoy the BBQ with everyone else, and feel at ease knowing my food is 100% gluten free!